In general, there are 3 major types of solar panels – portable, residential and commercial solar panel systems.

Portable solar panels are very small products that can supply low voltages (and limited power) to handheld or portable gadgets. There are rollable solar chargers, foldable solar panels and small, thin-film panels. The type of solar panel to be used depends on your application.

Residential and commercial solar panels are made using either crystalline silicon, thin-film or string-ribbon technology. They are much larger than portable solar panels and require inverters to convert direct current to alternating current. This conforms the electricity supply to the requirements of the household or commercial electricity supply.

Choosing a suitable brand is another major consideration. Purchasing from leading solar panel brands ensure that you have the service and advice that will most likely serve your needs. When it comes to repair and maintenance, spare parts and labor are adequately catered for – more so in larger companies than in smaller mom and pop shops.

Here is a list of leading solar panels brand: BP Solar, Evergreen Solar, General Electric, AEE Solar, Kaneka, Mitsubishi Electric, Kyocera, Sanyo, SunWize, Suntech, Sharp and Uni-Solar.

There are professionals in these companies that can help you size your solar power system. With your average power consumption figures and number of sun hours at your location, they can determine the specifications you need for your solar panels and other related components.

Depending on your budget, you may be advised to install as many solar panels as is required to supply all your household electricity needs. Or you can install the solar panels in stages. The specifications for each option are different and it is important to purchase a system that fits your requirement so you’ll not spend more money than necessary.

Along with solar panels, other necessary components for a home solar power system are inverters, batteries and mounts. These, too, have different specifications and you’ll need to choose one that suits your need.

Another consideration when buying solar panels is the warranty period. Companies offer different warranty periods and it is important to check that this period is much longer than the calculated payback period.

Keeping these pointers in mind as you shop for solar panels, you are better equipped to buy solar panels that can serve you for decades and put money back into your pocket.

Continue Reading:

1. Flexible Solar Panels
2. Solar Energy Panels — Solar Trickle Chargers
3. Important Facts And Properties of A Solar (PV) Panel You Must Know About (Part 2 of 3)

FiTs is a policy designed to encourage the use of (eligible) renewable energy generators like solar panels and wind turbines at home and on commercial buildings. Homeowners and business owners are paid a premium price for any renewable electricity they produce.

(This policy is also known as the Feed-in Law, Advanced Renewable Tariff or Renewable Energy Payments.)

Under this policy, different tariff rates are set for different types of renewable energy technology. The rates are partly determined by the cost of resource development. In simple terms, the rates you receive for electricity produced by solar, wind or geothermal energy differs.

Whatever the rate is at your area, it helps you to defray the initial cost of investment for your solar panels.

Home Solar Panels

Thus when calculating your expenses and recurring cost and returns for your solar panels installation, you must consider FiTs.

When you know your feed-in rates, you can also decide if you want to store your excess electricity in rechargeable batteries or feed them back to the grid.

As of recent years, feed-in laws have been exercised in more than sixty major countries. Some of them include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey and the United States. Many policy developments are also underway in China, India and Mongolia.

If China and India are able to implement this policy on an effective scale, it can surely improve the lives of many people by bringing investors to regions where electricity supply is inconsistent.

Feed-in tariff was implemented in the US in 1978. Two important policies were introduced — the National Energy Act (NEA) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA). This was a response toward the energy crisis and concerns over air pollution. The enactment of PURPA led to significant amounts of solar energy generation in sunny states like Florida and Maine.

The effect of these laws helped to encourage energy conservation and the development of natural energy resources such as wind and solar power.

Many people have benefited from these policies. However, as you know, not every state in the US implements this policy in the same way. Adaptations are necessary according to regional needs and demands. So check your facts first before you spread out your solar panels to every inch of your roof.

Continue Reading:

1. Privacy
2. Solar Panel Efficiency — How Does Dirt on Your Solar Panels Affect The Amount Of Electricity Produced?
3. Solar Energy Storage – Where To Keep Excess Energy Generated By Your Solar Heaters Or Photovoltaic (PV) Panels

The article below shows how practical solar panels are in a disaster scene. Currently Haiti is facing one of the most severe natural calamity in recent history. In such a time as this, electricity is most needed. However most of the electricity supply is cut off and there isn’t enough mobile generators at the scene.

People are screaming for help while thousands are waiting for more medication. People who desperately need surgery are not receiving it because electricity is needed to power the equipment.

Thankfully Sol, Inc. has chipped in their effort with photovoltaic panels. Hooray! This is what Rick Schuett, CEO of Sol, Inc. said:

“We know that once our solar lighting systems are installed, we will effectively double the amount of available relief effort time by allowing aid workers and rescuers to work around the clock when previously operations had to cease at dusk. In addition, our lighting systems will provide safety and security as well as being a hallmark that civility is being restored to the area.”

Read more at:
Haiti Relief Efforts Double with Installed Solar Lights (techburgh.com)

Continue Reading:

1. Solar Panel Efficiency — How Does Dirt on Your Solar Panels Affect The Amount Of Electricity Produced?
2. How You Can Benefit from Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) with Electricity Generated by Your Solar Panels
3. Residential Solar Panels — Reducing Your Carbon Footprint